Indonesian ‘Nazi’ election video sparks anger

JAKARTA: A Indonesian music video aimed at boosting support for a controversial ex-general running for the presidency sparked anger Wednesday after critics said it had Nazi overtones. Rock star Ahmad Dhani and other singers performed an adaptation of British band Queen’s “We Will Rock You”, with lyrics supporting Prabowo Subianto for the July 9 poll in which he is facing frontrunner Joko Widodo.But social media exploded with anger after critics noted Dhani was wearing a military uniform jacket identical to one often worn by Adolf Hitler’s henchman Heinrich Himmler. Indonesian-born singer and songwriter Anggun Cipta Sasmi tweeted that the video had made her “shocked, disappointed and ashamed”.“I pray that Indonesia does not descend into fascism.”A Twitter user called frizedianto added Dhani wanted Prabowo to be a “Hitler-style” ruler — “fascist, intolerant and authoritarian”.Even Queen guitarist Brian May waded into the row, insisting on Twitter the adaptation of the song was “completely unauthorised by us”. However the Indonesian singer appeared unrepentant, telling news website Detik: “The Indonesian people were not involved in the killing of millions of Jews, right?”